Antithrombotic Treatment for Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease.

Background: Patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) are at ele - vated risk for cardiovascular events and vascular events affecting the limbs. The goals of antithrombotic treatment are to keep vessels open after revascularization, to prevent cardiovascular events, and to lessen the frequency of peripheral ischemia and of amputation.

Methods: This review is based on pertinent publications retrieved by a selective literature search, with particular attention to meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, and the German and European angiological guidelines.

[Dual Pathway Inhibition in Atherosclerosis - Which Patients Benefit?].

Dual antithrombotic therapy (DAT) with low-dose rivaroxaban in combination with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is available to patients with stable atherosclerotic disease as a new therapeutic option.The results of the COMPASS trial demonstrate a significant relative risk reduction of cardiovascular outcomes by 24 % with low-dose DAT in patients with stable peripheral arterial disease or coronary heart disease.Despite a guideline adherent secondary prevention therapy, the cardiovascular event rate with ASA alone during the mean study period of almost two years was 5.

Promising role of drug-coated balloons in the tibial vessels?

In order to assess the role of drug-coated balloons (DCB) in below-the-knee (BTK) artery interventions, we analyzed randomized trials which compare coated to non-coated balloons and additionally a direct comparison of drug-eluting stents (DES) with DCB. As angioplasty with non-coated balloons is per guideline-recommendation still standard of care for below-the-knee artery endovascular treatment, we focused on the direct comparison of efficacy and clinical outcome data of both treatment modalities. Data from peer reviewed and published trials were consulted.

Promising role of drug-coated balloons in the tibial vessels?

To judge on the role of drug-coated balloons (DCB) in below-the-knee (BTK) artery interventions, we analyzed randomized trials which compare coated to non-coated balloons and additionally a direct comparison of drug-eluting stents (DES) with DCB. As angioplasty with non-coated balloons is per guideline-recommendation still standard of care for below- the-knee artery endovascular treatment, we focused on the direct comparison of efficacy and clinical outcome data of both treatment modalities. Data from peer reviewed and published trials were consulted.

Paclitaxel-coated balloons reduce restenosis after femoro-popliteal angioplasty: evidence from the randomized PACIFIER trial.

Background: Peripheral percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is fraught with a substantial risk of restenosis and reintervention. A drug-eluting balloon (DEB) based on a novel coating was compared with uncoated balloons in patients undergoing femoro-popliteal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.

Methods And Results: Patients with symptomatic femoro-popliteal atherosclerotic disease undergoing percutaneous transluminal angioplasty were randomized to paclitaxel-coated IN.